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Q.I
a) Describe the role of constituents in conventional concrete?
Soln: The constituents of concrete are cement, aggregate, water, and sometimes
admixtures.
Cement:
Cement in the fine grey powder that is the most important ingredients of
concrete, cement undergoes a chemical reaction with water and sets and hardens
when in contact with air or under water.
Cement is the binding material in concrete. The chemical reaction is called
hydration of cement.
It is an exothermic reaction .the cement grains becomes smaller and
reaction proceeds, hydration continues as long as moisture is available during the
hydration calcium–silicate–hydrate(c-s-h) gel is formed. It forms a continuous
binding matrix and is the most important factor for the strength development.
Aggregates:
Aggregates are major ingredients of concrete. They constitute 10% to 75%
of total volume. Aggregates provide a rigid skeleton structure for concrete acts as
economic space fillers.
Water:
Water is next most important ingredient after cement for making concrete.
It is also least expensive.
The purpose of adding water is,
1. It distributes the cement evenly.
2. It reacts with cement chemically and produces c-s-h gel.
3. It provides for workability, i.e., it lubricates the mix.
Admixtures:
Admixtures added are plasticizers. Plasticizers are added to increase the
workability of concrete without reduction in strength. Mineral admixtures like fly
ash are also added. The fly ash added reacts with Ca (OH) 2 formed during
hydration of cement to convert it into c-s-h gel. Hence it is called as puzolona
which helps in strength gain at later ages.
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b) Discuss the significance of drying shrinkage, thermal shrinkage and creep in

concrete?
Soln:
Drying shrinkage:
Just as the hydration of cement is an ever lasting process .the loss of water
held in gel pores causes drying shrinkage. Cement paste shrink more than mortar
and mortar shrinks more than concrete. The magnitude of drying shrinkage is also
a fraction, of the fineness of the gel. The finer the gel the more is shrinkage.

Thermal shrinkage:
When no moisture movement to or form the paste in system is permitted
when temp is constant, some shrinkage may occur. This shrinkage also occurs due
to variation in temperature.
It is of minor importance in many situations except that of max of concrete
in the interior of a concrete dam.
Creep:
Creep can be defined as the time dependent part of strain resulting from
sustained strains.
Concrete creeps significantly at all stages for a long time. creep in
concrete is associated with gel structure of cement paste. under sustained stress
with time the gel, the adsorbed water layer, the water held in gel pores yields,
flows and readjust themselves which behavior in termed as creep.

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Q.II

a) Describe the various materials used for ferrocement?

Soln: The materials used in Ferro-cement are:
Cement mortar mix:
A cement mix is designed using standard methods only.
Its components are Portland cement, fine aggregate, water and admixtures.
Material should satisfy all requisite standards similar to reinforced concrete.
Additives such as super plasticizers, silica flumes and fly ash can also be used.
Skeletal steel:
To form the skeletal of the structures skeletal steel is often used in Ferro
cement in the form of welded wires or a simple grid of steel wires, rods or strands.
Mesh layers are attached and this skeletal steel. The steel also acts as a space
leading to savings in the mesh layer. It helps in resisting tensile and punching
shear.
Fig:

Four mesh layers

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Steel mesh reinforcement:

Steel meshes are the primary reinforcement for fibrocement. The meshes
can be square woven or welded; chicken wire meshes of hexagonal shape and
sheet similar to those used in plaster and stucco application.
Fig:

b) Discuss the effect of constituent materials on tensile strength of ferrocement?

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Soln: The behavior is mainly divided into three main stages.

Stage 1 corresponds to ascending linear elastic portion (OA).
Stage 2 corresponds to the unstable portion (AB) where cracking starts
and stabilizes)
Stage 3 is where load elongation is almost linear elastic and the crack
width increases in applied load because of cracking. The stage exists until the
reinforcing steel yields. Ferro cement slowly adapts to the increasing load by
increasing its extensibility.
Crack width in Ferro cement can be one to two orders of magnitude
smaller than that of reinforced concrete.

Q III

a) Explain the different methods of plastering techniques used in ferrocement

construction?
Soln: Different methods of plastering techniques used are:

1) One-stage technique: it consists of single application of mortar from

out side to inside of mesh and subsequently finishing it off to a smooth surface
before initial set takes place.
2) Two stage technique: in this process mortar is plastered from one side
without fully penetrating through all the mesh layers & the portion is plastered
with mortar. To exist in bond between the old and new mortar, cement grout is
carried out on the old mortar. This technique is adopted when more then five
layers of mesh is used.
3) Sectional plastering: while understanding plastering of large Ferro-
cement structures, it may be preferable to plaster in sections using one- stage
technique, obtaining smooth construction joint due to differential shrinkage of
mortar.

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b) A ferrocement rectangular member 500mm*20mm is subjected to axial

tension. It is reinforced with 6 layers of woven mesh with wire diameter of 0.91mm
and spacing 6mm c/c distributed uniformly over the section. Establish a stress-
strain relationship?
Soln:
bn 500*6
No of wires=   500 wires
s 8

Af -area of fibre = 500  * d  325.19mm 2

2

4
Area of matrix Am  Ac  Af  10000  325.19

 9.67 *103 mm2

Perimeter= 500*  * d  1429.42mm
Perimeter
Surface area=
Am

1429.42
SL   0.148 / mm
9.67 *103
Cracking stress=  cr  25* S L   mu
=25*0.148+2.5
 6.2 N mm 2

Cracking load, Pcr   cr * A

=6.2*10*1000
=62KN.
Af 325.19
Volume fraction = V f  
Ac 10*1000
=3.25%
Ultimate stress =  fu *V f  480*.0325

 15.36 N mm 2

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Ultimate load= Pu  ultimatestress * b * D

=15.6*10*1000
=156KN
Ec  E f V f  EmVm

 30687.5 N mm 2
 cr 6.2
Strain in first crack =  cr  
Ec 30.68*103

 0.202*103
Modulus of elasticity of cracked section.
Ecr  E f *V f  2*105 *0.0325

 6500 N mm 2
 cu   cr 15.6  6.2
Strain in ultimate crack=  cu  
Ecr 6500

 1.44*103
Fig:

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Q IV

a) Define the following terms in respect of fibre reinforced concrete

Aspect ratio, minimum effective length, critical length, orientation factor.
Soln:
Aspect ratio: it is the ratio of length of the fibre and equivalent diameter.
In case of non circular cross sections of the fibre equivalent diameter is
found by equating area of the fibre to equivalent circle.
Minimum effective length (Lm): the min length at which the fibre crack
strength of the concrete matrix.
Critical length (Lc): it is length above which fibres will fracture rather
than pull out at mid point when crack intersects the fibre.
d
Lc  f
2t
Where  f - fibre stress
 -bond stress
d-diameter of fibre
Orientation factor: it is a factor which denotes the efficiency with which
randomly oriented fibre can carry tensile forces in any one direction.

b) A steel fibre fibre reinforced concrete specimen subjected to uniaxial tension

consists of fully bonded continuous bonded aligned fibres. Calculate the
critical fibre volume?
Soln:
E f  200*103 N mm 2 ,  mu  3 N mm 2 ,

 fu  100 N mm 2 ,  mu  100*106

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At cracking, E f  Emu

 f  E f * E fu  E f * Emu

 mu  Em *  mu

 c   f *V f   m *  1  V f 

 ccrit  E fu *  mu *V f  Em *  mu *  1  V f 

At failure,  f *V fcrit   ccrit

 fu * ccrit  E fu *  mu *V f  Em *  mu *  1  V f 
E fu *  mu *V f  Em *  mu *  1  V f 
V fcrit 
 fu

 mu
V fcrit 
 fu  E f *  mu   mu

3
V fcrit  6
100  100*10 * 200*103  3
V fcrit  0.0361  3.61%

QV

a) Justify the use of concrete for radiation shielding. Explain a suitable method
for placing high density concrete?
Soln:
Concrete is an excellent material that possesses the needed characteristics
for both neutron and gamma ray attenuation, has satisfactory mechanical
properties and has relatively low, initial as well as maintenance cost also the ease
of construction makes concrete an especially suitable material for radiation
shielding. The aggregate used are bauxite, magnetite, limonite, hematite etc. Also
steel and iron aggregate in the form of shots, punching scrap may be used. Since

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capacity of various heavy aggregates to absorb gamma rays is almost directly

proportional to their density, heavy elements are most effective in absorbing fast
neutrons. The increase in hydrogen content also slows down fast neutrons.
Limonite and goethite are reliable sources of hydrogen.

PUDDING METHOD:
This method of placement consists of spreading several cans of mortar in
the form and sub consequently spreading a layer of course metallic aggregate. The
course aggregate is paddled into place by Roding or internal vibration.

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b) Discuss the properties of high density concrete in fresh state and hardened
state.
Structural requirements of concrete shields are used quite low due to large
thickness adopted. Properties such as specific heat and thermal conductivity are
important where thermal stress problems are encountered. Based on test results of
heavy steel aggregate concretes, we conclude that the strength of concrete is
proportional to its density. Properties of high density concrete made with iron
aggregate have been studied. Differences in the properties of conventionally
placed and repacked with high dense concrete, it was possible to have aggregate
graded from course and fine.
With respect to bond strength repacked concrete exhibits equal to or
slightly greater than those of conventionally placed specimens. In general, the
physical and structural properties of concrete made with iron bearing aggregate
are found to be reasonable. It was also found that magnetic concrete exhibited
good structural characteristics.

Q VI

a) Explain the RILEM classification of light weight concrete?

Soln:
According to the RILEM light weight is classified into following
categories
 Fully compacted.
 Partially compacted.
 No fines.
 Aerated concrete by chemical processes (gas concrete).
 Aerated concrete by physical processes (foam concrete).
 Micro cellular concretes.

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c) Explain the structural applications of light weight concrete?

Soln:
Structural light weight concretes have come of age as an important and
versatile material in modern construction. It has many and varied applications
such as multistory buildings frames and floors, curtain walls, shell roofs, folded
plates bridges, priestesses or precast elements of all types. High quality structural
light weight concrete can safely be used in reinforced concrete columns, including
ultra high rise buildings. Tests were conducted at Portland concert association
laboratories regarding elastic and time dependent shortening of reinforced
lightweight concrete columns encountered in a 50-storey concrete building. Data
obtained from incrementally loaded reinforced columns showed little creep &the
obeying shrinkage influence on creep is eliminated.

d) Design the light weight concrete mix:

Soln:
Strength= 12 N mm 2 , C.F=0.8, aggregate=lytag, leca, workability=med to
high, R.D=103, Moisture for fine and coarse aggregates=4% & 2%.
Mean compressive strength=12/0.8= 15 N mm 2
Lytag leca
Total w/c ratio Not applicable is ruled out as lwa 0.81
Cement content ( Kg m3 ) 300
Relative density in air 1.21<1.3
Density of fully compacted fresh concrete 1.31
Weight of water ( Kg m3 ) 261

Density at fresh concrete ( Kg m3 ) 1310

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Assuming C.A:F.A=1:1
Wt of total aggregate =1310-300-201=749 Kg m3

Wt of fine aggregate =374.5 Kg m3

Wt of course aggregate=374.5 Kg m3

Since aggregate have extra moisture the required water to be added should be less

than 261 Kg m3
Water content required for accounting moisture content is
261-4%of374.5-2%of 374.5 =238.53 Kg m3
Therefore the required fine aggregate and course aggregate is
374+4%of 314.5 and 374+2% of 374.5=389.48 Kg m3 & 382 Kg m3
Final quality of material required for first trial is / m3
Cement=300kg, water=238.53kg, Fine aggregate=389.48kg,
Coarse aggregate=382kg

Q VII
a) List the various non-destructive tests on concrete and explain any two in
detail?
Soln:
Various tests performed on concrete are:
a) Surface hardness test.
b) Rebound hammer test.
c) Penetration and vibration pull out technique.
d) Dynamic and vibration tests.
e) Combined methods.
f) Radioactive and nuclear methods.
g) Magnetic and electrical methods.
h) Acoustic emission techniques.
i) Surface hardness methods.

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REBOUND HAMMER TEST:

Schmidt’s rebound hammer consists of spring- controlled mass that slides
on a plunger within a tabular housing. When the plunger is pressed against the
surface of the concrete of spring- controlled mass r4ebounds and the extent of
such rebound depends upon the surface hardness of concrete. The surface
hardness &therefore, the rebound are related to the compressive strength of the
material. The rebound is read off along a graduated scale and this value is
designated as rebound index.
The rebound hammer is used for
1) Estimating the compressive strength of concrete with the help of suitable
correlations between compressive strength and rebound index.
2) Establishing the uniformity of concrete.
3) Assessing the quality of one element of concrete in relation to another.

ULTRASONIC PULSE VELOCITY TEST:

An ultrasonic pulse generated by an electro-acoustical transducer. Where
the pulse is introduced into the concrete from the transducer, it undergoes
multiple reflections at the boundaries of the different material phases within the
concrete. The receiving transducer detects a set of the longitudinal waves which is
the fastest. The ultrasonic pulse velocity test is used to establish the homogeneity
of concrete, changes in the structure of concrete which may occur with time.
Elastic modules of concrete, quality of one element of concrete in relation to one
another, presence of cracks, voids and other imperfections.
There are three types of measuring pulse velocity
o Direct method wherever access to opposite sides of the component is
possible.
o Semi-direct method wherever access to different sides of the component is
possible.
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o Surface method where access to only surface is possible.

1. Direct transmission

2. Indirect transmission

3. Surface transmission

TT= Transducer transmitter

TR=Transducer receiver

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b) Explain the general considerations governing the materials and mix

proportioning of high strength concretes?
Soln:
The key ingredients of high strength concrete are
a. Low water binder ratio
b. Large quantity of silica fume or fine mineral powder
c. Aggregates containing fine sand with good partied packing
characteristics.
The traditional mix proportioning need to be modified based on strength
requirements. High strength can be produced by reducing the water- cement ratio
below that normally used for ordinary concrete. This can be made possible by
using admixtures.
A low water-binder ratio can be achieved by
a. Increasing the binder content.
b. Decreasing the water content.
c. Increasing the binder content as well as decreasing the water
content
This can be achieved by adding super plasticizers. It is also essential to
ensure that the mix obtained is cohesive to satisfy the placement requirement.

Q VIII

a) Write short notes.

Soln:
a) POLYMER IMREGNATED CONCRETE:
It is the concrete in which pores are filled with polymer in hardened state.
The impregnated monomer is polymerized within the pore system. The technique
of dried specimen in which the recast element is heated to evaporate moisture
present in the concrete. The element is immersed in monomer under high
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pressure. By doing so the voids will be filled with monomer. Then the specimen is
heated to polymerize the monomer. Sulphur can be used to minimize the cost of
impregnation. The disadvantage of this material is that it cannot resist very high
temperature. Compact on pores not connected by capillary pores cannot be filled
by monomers.

b) SUPERPLASTISISERS:
Super plasticizers produce extreme workability and thus following
concrete. They achieve reduction in to water content without loss of workability.
Their use leads to reduction in cost. super plasticizers. Molecular and cement
grains are oppositely charged and hence repel each other. This increases the
mobility and hence makes the concrete flow. Super plasticizers enable savings in
cement for a given strength and are ideal for pumping concrete, casting heavily
reinforced concrete members, and the precast elements of the concrete.

c) READY MIXED CONCRETE:

Is a specialized material in which cement aggregate and other ingredients
are weigh batched at a plant in a central or truck mixture before delivering to the
construction site in a condition ready for placing by the customer. Ready mix
supplier is in two separate business firstly, processing materials and secondly,
transporting product with a very short life. Ready mix concrete suppliers need to
have stringent quality control for their product and its delivery so that it satisfies
customer’s apprehensions. Experience has shown that the authority or engineer
will be satisfied with ready mixed concrete. If
1. The supply complies with specification for fresh and hardened concrete.
2. He is assured of continuity of supplies.
3. The deliveries are always on time and concrete is supplied at the required rate.
4. The workability is correct and appropriate for the placing method used.
5. The qualities are correct.
6. The total cost of concrete, including supply, handling, and the placing is
economic
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d) AIR ENTRAINED CONCRETE:

There are entraining agents helping, protecting concrete subjected to
repeated freeze and thaw cycles. Concrete with entrained air as higher workability
and cohesiveness, segregation and bleeding are reduced by using air entraining
agents. These agents ensure durability against frost. Air entraining agents are
derived from synthetic detergents salts of sulphated lignin, fatty acids, organic
salts of sulphonated hydrocarbons, or salts of wood resins. Some air entraining
agents react and produce adverse effects when used along with accelerating and
set retarding admixtures.
These agents create millions of tiny air bubbles which relieve the
expensive pressure, they result in 9% of increase in volume and osmotic pressure
develops an arc water defuses from gel pores into the capillaries.

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